Potgieter replaces Will Skelton in the second row, while star fullback Israel Folau and winger Rob Horne return from injury and illness in the only other changes to the team that beat the Queensland Reds last outing.

Folau missed the Reds game with a corked thigh, while an ailing Horne was a match-day scratching.

Wingers Cam Crawford, Matt Carraro and Taqele Naiyaravoro have all been named on an extended nine-man bench for the Waratahs' first finals appearance since 2011.